Engraving process and product thereof

Abstract

An engraved plastic article is prepared by applying a coat of epoxy resin paint to a polyether sulfone resin article, curing the coated article at an elevated temperature, and engraving indicia on a surface of the article. During engraving the paint coating does not loosen, chip or otherwise dislodge.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for preparing an article bearing engraved indicia thereon consisting essentially of: coating the surface of a polyether sulfone resin article with an epoxy resin paint material;   curing the coated article at an elevated temperature to form a bond between the paint material and the article;   engraving indicia on said surface of the cured article.   
     
     
       2. A process as described in claim 1 wherein the coated polyether sulfone resin article is cured at a temperature of from about 380° to about 450° F. 
     
     
       3. The process as described in claim 1 wherein the article is formed of a polyether sulfone resin linear polymer represented by the formula ##STR3## in which n represents the number of repeat units in the polymer. 
     
     
       4. The process as described inclaim 3 wherein the coated polyether sulfone resin article is cured at a temperature of from about 410° F. to about 425° F. 
     
     
       5. The process as described in claim 4 wherein the engraving is performed by the use of a rotary engraving implement. 
     
     
       6. The process as described in claim 5 wherein said engraving step comprises cutting through the paint material and into the article. 
     
     
       7. A process as described in claim 1 wherein indicia having a depth of from about 0.0005 inches to about 0.0012 inches are engraved on the surface of the cured article. 
     
     
       8. A process as described in claim 1 wherein indicia having a width of from about 0.015 inches to about 0.025 inches are engraved on the surface of the cured article. 
     
     
       9. A process as described in claim 1 wherein indicia having a height of from about 0.37 inches to about 2.96 inches are engraved on the surface of the cured article. 
     
     
       10. A process as described in claim 1 wherein the surface of the cured article is curved. 
     
     
       11. A process as described in claim 1 wherein the hardness of the epoxy resin paint material, after curing, is from about 3H to 6H. 
     
     
       12. An article made by the process of claim 1.